Tiger: I am a love

TIGER Woods last night admitted he WAS a love cheat as he announced he was taking "an indefinite break" from golf.
Woods, 33, apologised for the hurt his "infidelity" had caused his wife and children.

And in further development shaving brand Gillette said today it would be "limiting his role" in marketing to "support his desire for privacy".

The dad-of-two admitted he was giving up the sport to focus on being "a better husband, father and person" as he attempts to save his marriage to heartbroken wife Elin Nordegren, 29.

In a statement on his website, he said: "I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children.

"I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness.

"It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.

"After much soul-searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.



Calling shots ... Elin"What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

"Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period."

Woods' wife has, meanwhile, ordered him to sell the homes where he romped with his mistresses.

Elin has told him she will no longer live in the houses where he had sex with other women.

He now has to sell his £1.7million mansion in Isleworth, Florida, and a £1.5million property in Newport Beach, California.


Elin has told estate agents in both places to prepare to put the homes on the market in the New Year.

A family friend said: "As far as Elin is concerned both homes are soiled."

And in a another twist a Swedish housing official has confirmed that Elin bought a house on an island off Stockholm.

Stenake Johansson, the chairman of the Faglaro Residential Association, said that she became the owner of a six-bedroom house on Decemeber 1 on Faglaro.

The island is only reachable by boat. He says negotiations likely started shortly after the house was put on the market in August - well before the recent reports about Woods' alleged extramarital affairs.

Johansson could not confirm the mansion's reported price of 16 million kronor ($2.2 million).

He said he didn't know whether Nordegren and Woods plan to move in.

We revealed yesterday that Elin had agreed to try to rebuild their shattered marriage for the sake of their two young children.

She has told Woods she will remain in their Florida home for Christmas, but will then move out.

A removal lorry yesterday collected five large boxes from the house.

Today shaving brand Gillette said in a statement: "In the midst of a difficult and unfortunate situation, we respect the action Tiger is taking to restore the trust of his family, friends and fans.

"We fully support him stepping back from his professional career and taking the time he needs to do what matters most. We wish him and his family the best."

"As Tiger takes a break from the public eye, we will support his desire for privacy by limiting his role in our marketing programmes."

Gillette spokesman Damon Jones said Woods would not be appearing in the company's next television campaign or in any forthcoming press adverts.

Meanwhile, Woods' main sponsor, Nike, stood by him, saying: "He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support."

AT&T also said it supported his decision, but added it was "presently evaluating our ongoing relationship with him".

Another sponsor, Accenture, no longer has an image of Woods on the home page of its website.


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